May 18, 2012

I don't know the last time I have actually "seen" this side of our garage. I am still wondering about "a random hole in the wall actually got there", but I am sure it is somewhat due to sloffing around gads of furniture and "useless crap" in this garage.

And I have to say.

The "little decluttering" is feeling magical.

Even though I would much rather be planting all of these

I feel like I'm a fork in my junking road where , mind you, I really never had an emotional connection to "junk". A few pieces. Yes. A few remourseful sell offs where I say "crap, I wish I would of kept that piece"

Maybe this will be one of them this year at The Farmchicks Show"

But where would I really put it?

It's not going to fit anywhere. And I have no plans on opening a store where it needs to truly be for a front counter.

So nope. No emotional ties to getting it out of my driveway and onto the Big Show.

So decluttering this year has truly been about just "getting rid of it all" for the sake of I "don't need it, don't want it, don't want it around, and I am not holding on to it for a garage sale, and would rather donate it to those who could use it" philosophy.

But decluttering in a different way too.

And today was very interesting when my little "bestie" text me a "one minute speech" her daughter was presenting today on "character".

You see. I think "decluttering" also is about myself, the way I live my life. Not just junk, but my thoughts, the way I treat others, or random chance encounters, or how I allow others in my world to change my path that I want to be living.

And then I get this text of the "speech" a very "wise little 18 year old is giving today".

I wanted to share it with you all.

If you say the word “character” to me, I will think of my father. He is wise, strong, authentic… but most of all, he is steadfast. He is consistent. My dad is the same person everywhere he goes. Abraham Lincoln once described character as being a tree, and our reputation as the shadow. The shadow is people’s perception of who we are, but the tree is the real thing. We must be in reality what we wish to appear to others. We see many people in our society today that are adapted to cutting corners – who can walk in their surroundings and be one person, and look in the mirror to find another. Those with character have the authenticity and the consistency to follow through with their morals, just like my dad strives to do. Like we say before our softball games – we have to leave everything out on the field the right way before God, because at the end of the day we want to look into the mirror knowing we gave everything we had and remained steadfast to who we are.

May 10, 2012

Six months ago I thought life would be completely changed. You see. I was given a gift of being able to be free from the "daily grind" of being in charge of an incredible responsibility of a huge million dollar + program, and responsible for lifes of others, budgets, grants, deadlines, hirings, firings, layoffs, squabbles, backtalking, people not happy with my decisions, people "happy" with my decisions, blah, blah, blah blah blah. The fact is. I really loved an amazing amount of what I did and acheived for 18 plus years but was so blessed to have the gift to move forward with my art and spend more time with those that I love, friends, family and more....

I have to say. Its not all it's cracked up to be on some days.

But. My Great Aunt taught me in her 93 plus years of amazing wisdom, "Life is what you create Lisa". "And remember. That if those around you, or you are feeling that life isn't where it needs to be, than you are the one to create the happy by giving back to those around you, and not worry about what you cannot control as it won't really matter, will it? " She was so wise. So wise indeed, that she kept a "Happiness Calendar".

Everyday.

Everyday she would write down "one thing that made her happy" that day. Even if it was the worst of days. I never knew her worst days, because her "happiness calendar always said what "made her happy" that day. Her worst days would consist of losing her husband days before Christmas in a car wreck. (widowed years before anyone should of been). She could only think of making sure everyone had Christmas Gifts. (she never got rid of any of his items. She just "tucked them deep away")

I know she had many "worst days" after that. But she always found "happy" to share with others. I remember many times her friend would call her and "complain of all her ailments or attempt to gossip about their other friend". Auntie Beth would "accidentally turn of her hearing aid". She would always switch the subject about something happy. Mind you. She wasn't always a saint. She did strike a mean water gun to the neighbors cats or if you "wrong'd her", she did let you know that you truly disapointed her, and it wasn't easily forgotten. Forgiven. Always. Forgotten was difficult.

Why am I rambling?

My Six Months of Happiness.

I have had check in with my late Auntie Beth and be reminded of her "Happiness Calendar" and start my own. And to forgive but not forget when I have been frustrated. And to remember why I have chosen my path of art.... And to share my Happiness with you all. Because if I get stuck in the frustration of as my Auntie Beth says "you can't change it, so why get frustrated about it?, I go back to my happiness of what is really important in my world.... and she reminds me everyday...